Rapid Reaction: Central Michigan 23, Ball State 21
MUNCIE, Ind. — Central Michigan football escaped Saturday, as Ball State couldn't complete another fourth-quarter rally.
The game featured four lead changes, including two in the fourth quarter, but the Chippewas would pull out the 23-21 victory.
Junior kicker Brian Eavey booted the game-winner with 5:30 to play. Junior quarterback Cooper Rush finished 30-for-38 with 316 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore wide receiver Mark Chapman led the team with six catches and 100 yards, while junior Martez Walker carried the load with 19 carries and 86 yards rushing along with four catches for 52 yards.
The team improves to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference with the win and ends a five-game losing streak against the Cardinals (2-6, 1-3 MAC). Dan Enos never beat BSU during his tenure at CMU.
Quick start:
Bonamego said the key against Buffalo was getting off to a quick start and would be essential again on the road at Ball State.
A 41-yard screen play to sophomore wide receiver Mark Chapman set up a 16-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wideout Corey Willis on the first drive of the game.
The first drive was six plays, 75 yards and took just 2:48 off the clock all while going into a steady 15 mph wind.
First-half turning point:
After a Chippewa touchdown and a field goal to start the game and a pair of three-and-outs for Ball State, a Jay Roberson fumble gave the Cardinals momentum. The Cardinals responded with a touchdown as time expired in the first quarter and CMU wouldn't score again in the half.
Cardinals go for it to end the half:
With three seconds left in the half from the 1-yard line, Ball State kept the special teams unit on the sidelines. Ball State's James Gilbert was stood up at the goal line twice before falling forward for the touchdown. CMU would go into halftime trailing 14-10.
The Chippewas came into Saturday 1-4 when trailing at the half.
Cardinals 89-yard touchdown return:
Junior wide receiver KeVonn Mabon had an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give Ball State a 21-20 lead with 10:24 to play in the game following a Brian Eavey 47-yard field goal.
What it means:
The Chippewas stay alive in the MAC West race, while Ball State falls to fifth in the division at 1-3.
Also, Rush is three touchdowns away from tying Ryan Radcliff for the second-most passing touchdowns all-time in program history. In his four MAC games this season, Rush is completing 70.2 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, while averaging 283 yards passing per game.
What's next:
CMU travels to Akron, Ohio next Saturday at 2 p.m. to take on the Zips (3-4, 1-2 MAC). The Chippewas have won six in a row against Akron and nine of the last 10 matchups. The last time the two teams played was in 2012 when CMU won 35-14.
